Is your water safe to drink?

Although many Americans are aware of the water crises taking place in different parts of the country, such as Flint, Michigan, and New Jersey, most believe themselves to be far removed from these situations. Experts caution however, that what’s happening there could happen anywhere, anytime to whole neighborhoods, individual streets or even just to a specific house.

Indeed, plumbing components still could legally contain up to eight percent lead as recently as January 2014. The good news is there are steps you can take to protect your family.

“The most important thing individual families can do to improve water quality is to filter it at home,” says Joseph Harrison, former chief of the EPA’s Safe Drinking Water Branch.

Harrison says there are filters that require installation, but the easiest option is to purchase a filtering system available at a local retailer that you fill with water and put in your fridge. Such systems come in various shapes and sizes, making them a good option for any size family or fridge.

For example, ZeroWater offers the only portable gravity-fed pour through filtration device that reduces the Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) measurement down to virtually zero and are certified by the NSF for lead reduction and other heavy metals to a safe level.

By removing 99.6 percent of all total dissolved solids, the filters get a 000 measurement on the digital water meter, which is equivalent to purified bottled water. They also remove more pharmaceuticals and chemicals than other leading two-stage filter brands, according to Good Housekeeping Research.

“Until all lead pipes in the water infrastructure system are safely replaced, consumers are largely on their own when it comes to protecting their families from lead,” says Harrison. “That’s why it’s so important to treat your water with a filter certified to reduce lead content.”

While all families should take steps to protect their health, proactive measures are especially crucial for families with pregnant women and children under six years old. This is because lead toxin exposure primarily affects developing brains and causes reduced intelligence, learning disabilities, developmental delays and fetal deaths.

To learn more about water filtration and how to test your water for lead, visit ZeroWater.com. You don’t have to accept your local water quality as-is. By filtering your water, you can improve both its quality and its taste.